Exclamation Point!,
the Alive! Maryland Monthly Newsletter

September 2023

Exclamation Point! is your straight-to-the-point monthly newsletter for Maryland's primary care and infectious disease workforce, brought to your inbox by Alive! Maryland, led by HealthHIV. Each month we will feature key trainings and webinars, upcoming events, job opportunities, and other resources to help you in your work. We'll also highlight some of the impactful work and diverse perspectives of your colleagues across the State. 

In this issue:

• Alive! Maryland Offerings
• Points of View: Provider Perspectives
• Action Points: Upcoming Events
• Key Points: Featured Resources
• Job Openings
• Funding Opportunities

Want to spread the word about a job opening or funding opportunity from your organization? Know a special healthcare provider in Maryland who deserves the spotlight? Let us know by contacting info@AliveMaryland.org. Alive! Maryland is here to help you help Marylanders!

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Alive! Maryland Offerings

PrEP Initiatives for the Latino/a/x Community
Thursday, September 14, 2023

Join HealthHIV and Alive! Maryland on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 1:00pm ET for a webinar that will provide an overview of different PrEP initiatives that have been proven effective in the Latino/a/x community. The faculty will also discuss practical strategies that increase the knowledge, comfort, and skills of providers to engage this community in PrEP services.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

• Discuss the current state of HIV transmission and PrEP utilization among the Latino/a/x community.
• Identify different PrEP initiatives focused on the Latino/a/x community, including culturally sensitive education and outreach, community-based testing programs, and PrEP access programs.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of PrEP initiatives for the Latino/a/x community, including their impact on HIV transmission rates, PrEP uptake, medication adherence, and health outcomes.
• Develop strategies to improve and expand PrEP initiatives for the Latino/a/x community, such as increasing funding for PrEP programs, increasing access to PrEP medication, and addressing cultural barriers.

Please note that continuing education credits are not available for this webinar.

If you are unable to attend the live event, you still need to register so that, after the live event has ended, you receive an email with access to the recording as well as links to download materials. 

Non-Occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (nPEP) to Prevent HIV Infection:
Essentials for Maryland Providers - Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Non-Occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (nPEP) for HIV prevention is the use of antiretroviral drugs as soon as possible after a high-risk exposure to HIV. Increasing awareness of and access to nPEP leads to fewer HIV diagnoses and is an important strategy for Ending the HIV Epidemic.

Join Alive! Maryland, led by HealthHIV, on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 1:30pm Eastern for a webinar that will cover key elements regarding Non-Occupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (nPEP) management. The faculty also will review the accompanying Alive! Maryland nPEP toolkit for Maryland providers.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

• Describe three indications for nPEP use.
• Identify the key baseline and follow-up clinical/laboratory assessments for nPEP.
• Explain when and how to prescribe nPEP to PrEP.
• Recognize three accompanying aids contained in the Alive! Maryland nPEP toolkit to facilitate prescription of nPEP.

Continuing education credits are available for this webinar, pending accreditation.

If you are unable to attend the live event, you still need to register so that, after the live event has ended, you receive an email with access to the recording as well as links to download materials. 

Empowering Black Women: Breaking Barriers to PrEP Across the Lifespan
Thursday, October 5, 2023

PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV, yet PrEP use among Black women is very low. Barriers include lack of awareness, negative experiences with providers, lack of confidence that providers know about PrEP, daily uptake, and negative response from partners.

Join Alive! Maryland, led by HealthHIV, on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 12:00pm Eastern for a webinar that will highlight HIV prevention among Black women at each stage of life, including strategies for engagement and barriers to care.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

• Discuss the history of HIV prevention and Black women.
• Describe key strategies for engaging Black women in HIV prevention at each stage of the lifespan.
• Identify barriers to PrEP for Black women at each stage of the lifespan.
• Discuss the impact of culture and medical mistrust on healthcare decisions for Black women.

Continuing education credits are available for this webinar, pending accreditation.

If you are unable to attend the live event, you still need to register so that, after the live event has ended, you receive an email with access to the recording as well as links to download materials. 

Uniting for Health: Engaging Latino/a/x Faith-Based Organizations in HIV Prevention
Friday, October 6, 2023

In minority communities, faith often unifies individuals across socioeconomic status, educational levels, and other social factors. In particular, people look to faith leaders in their community with trust and respect. Secular organizations that address HIV prevention can share common goals with faith-based organizations (FBOs), and therefore it is important for secular organizations to work collaboratively with FBOs and faith leaders in order to reach people who are disproportionately affected by HIV. 

Join Alive! Maryland and HealthHIV on Friday, October 6, 2023 at 1:00pm Eastern for a webinar that will discuss engagement with Latino/a/x faith groups and organizations. The faculty will give an overview of Latino/a/x-focused FBOs in Maryland, explore the personal assessment process as well as the development of strategic religious engagement plans, and provide various resources. Participants will also learn strategies for effectively forming mutually beneficial relationships with diverse Latino/a/x faith groups in order to further their HIV prevention work. 

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

• Define strategic religious engagement and other key terms inherent within diverse faith cultures.
• List at least three prevalent faith groups within the Latino/a/x community.
• Discuss common challenges at the intersection of faith and HIV prevention.
• Identify at least three resources for ongoing engagement capacity development.
• Develop a strategic religious engagement plan.

Please note that continuing education credits are not available for this webinar.

If you are unable to attend the live event, you still need to register so that, after the live event has ended, you receive an email with access to the recording as well as links to download materials. 

Points of View: Provider Perspectives

Each month we will highlight a Maryland provider in this section whose work is helping bring the State alive. If you have a colleague you think deserves some appreciation, let us know! Please email info@AliveMaryland.org and include the provider's name, role and affiliation, and contact details. We'll then reach out to your colleague with some brief interview questions.

Action Points: Upcoming Events

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day - September 18, 2023

National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day is observed annually on September 18^th and is a day to bring attention to the growing number of people living full lives with HIV and the challenges of HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care among the aging population.

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over half (53.3%) of those living with HIV in the United States and dependent areas in 2021 were aged 50 or older. 
• In Maryland, of the 31,616 people living with diagnosed HIV at the end of 2022, 54.0 percent were 50 years and older.
• Among those 50 years and older, 73.2 percent had a viral load test result reported in 2022. Of those 12,508 with a reported test result, 92.3 percent had a suppressed viral load.

National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - September 27, 2023

National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is observed annually on September 27^th and is a day to bring attention to the disproportionate impact HIV has on gay and bisexual men.

• In Maryland, of the 751 reported HIV diagnoses in 2022, 55.3 percent were attributed to male-to-male sexual contact (MMSC) exposure.
• Of those 416 newly reported diagnoses with MMSC exposure, 35.3 percent had a suppressed viral load within six months of diagnosis.

Implementing Injectable PrEP at Your Agency: A Four-Part Webinar Series

The PS19-1904 Track B Capacity Building Assistance providers of Washington University in St. Louis, Latino Commission on AIDS, University of Rochester, and San Francisco Department of Public Health will host a four-part virtual series that will address injectable PrEP. Cabotegravir was approved for HIV PrEP in December 2021, but implementation and uptake have been low. The purpose of this series is to build the capacity of the HIV workforce for injectable PrEP implementation through peer-to-peer learning. This series is for agencies at any stage of implementation.

The sessions will address four topics respectively.

Tuesday, August 15, 2023 - Injectable PrEP: What the Science and Users Have to Say About It
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 - Implementing Injectable PrEP: Lessons from the Field
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 - Financing Injectable PrEP: Strategies and Lessons Learned
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 - Putting It All Together

Join us for these four interactive sessions featuring panels, case studies, and more to enhance staff and provider knowledge on injectable PrEP!

Webinar 1 of 7
Prime Time Priorities for MADAP: Tools & Tips on Open Enrollment Outreach to Uninsured Clients
Tuesday, October 3, 2023

The open enrollment period for the Maryland AIDS Drug Assistance Program (MADAP) starts in January 2024. Join the MADAP team at the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) for a comprehensive webinar series taking place in October and November that will cover key topics in preparation for open enrollment. The series includes seven webinars featuring MADAP experts and opportunities for live Q&A. Please note that continuing education credits are not available for these sessions.

The first webinar in the series will take place on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 1:00pm Eastern.

Topics to be covered: 

• Priorities for MADAP
  • MADAP/MADAP Plus Basics
  • Health Care Insurance Benefits, Requirements and Notifications
  • Plans Payable by MADAP 
• Best Practices Q&A

Henrietta Lacks Memorial Lecture 2023 - Saturday, October 7, 2023

On Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 10am Eastern, we will honor the legacy of Mrs. Henrietta Lacks at the 13th Anniversary of the Henrietta Lacks Memorial Lecture. This year, we invite guests to join us either in person or virtually by registering at the Johns Hopkins ICTR’s EventBrite page.

All are welcome. Free parking is available in the Washington Street garage, located at 701 N. Washington Street, Baltimore 21205. Check-in begins at 9:00am and the program starts at 10:00am.

The event is free to the public. Seating is limited so please RSVP. Lunch will be provided after the lecture.

American Public Health Association 2023 Annual Meeting - November 12-15, 2023

APHA’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Expo, taking place November 12 to 15, 2023, will offer innovative and exciting opportunities to help you reach your personal and professional goals. Learn from leading experts, build leadership skills and knowledge, and connect with peers from around the globe, all with the choice and flexibility to select the best format for you.

Whether you join us in person or online, you’ll engage, collaborate and grow by attending your pick of over 1,000 scientific presentations, participating in fun social activities, and meeting sponsors and exhibitors in the Public Health Expo.

Key Points: Featured Resources

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Describe at least three common mental health challenges that children, adolescents, and young adults face when living with HIV.
• List how mental health challenges can impact their medical care and treatment.
• Identify at least three ways to address the particular mental health challenges that children, adolescents, and young adults living with HIV face to improve their self-perceived health and reception of medical treatment.

1.0 continuing education credits (AAPA, ACPE, AMA, CNE, ASWB, APA, IPCE) are available for this module.

Healthy Sexuality Educational Series

This self-paced, four-module series for Maryland providers encourages communication between providers and patients to promote healthy sexual practices and ensure affirming and competent care for all. A downloadable glossary with sexual health terminology accompanies this series to reinforce the use of inclusive and affirming language when engaging with patients. 

The four modules include:

• Healthy Sexuality for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals
  This presentation discusses the epidemiology of aging and sexuality, the life-course perspective, healthy sexuality across the lifespan, and how we experience physical and mental changes across that lifespan.This presentation discusses best ways to affirm transgender and nonbinary persons. It explores ways for medical and support staff to affirm the identity and support the transition of their patients. The presentation includes a discussion on harm reduction best practices.
• Towards Healthier Futures for Gay, Bisexual, and Same-Gender-Loving Men of Color
  This presentation discusses those populations most affected by HIV in Maryland, their barriers to healthcare (including socio-cultural, organizational, structural, and clinical barriers), medical mistrust, stigma, minority stress, health equity, and cultural humility and sensitivity.
• LGBTQ Youth and Sexual Health
  This presentation discusses both the components of sexual orientation and gender identity and how the timing of adolescent development relates to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) development.
• Aging: Sexual Health, Healthy Aging
  This presentation discusses the epidemiology of aging and sexuality, the life-course perspective, healthy sexuality across the lifespan, and how we experience physical and mental changes across that lifespan.

Please note that continuing education credits are not available for this series.

Name and Gender Change Process in Maryland

NACCHO Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) Survey - Participate by September 29

NACCHO would like to gather information on the impact of the recission of the $400 million for DIS activities on disease intervention specialists (DIS) at local health departments.

Specifically, NACCHO is interested in understanding how the law has impacted people with or at risk for STIs, the DIS workforce, and overall health department program planning and implementation. 

Please provide responses to this short query to share information about your experiences. We appreciate your time and consideration with providing this information.